Judy Lavoie

After working in watercolors for recent months I’ve been anxious to switch over to scratchboarding again. I was inspired to create an image with various stages of the wild thistle plant, so full of a variety of textures. Using Photoshop, I combined a couple of photos I had taken of wild thistle growing near my house. Thistle is a plant which often has several stages of growth showing at once, including spiny flower pods, fully opened flowers, and the delicate … Read More

I’ve entered these three watercolor paintings into an upcoming exhibition and I invite you to choose your favorite. A professional watercolor artist will act as show juror, picking no more than one from each entrant. The juror’s criteria includes considerations such as proficient use of the watercolor medium, strong composition, creativity, and other factors – and most would agree it is very subjective. I just want to know what you like (and why, if you want to explain)! When I … Read More

Over the past 2 years, Covid-19 has changed life as we knew it. Artists throughout history have recorded historical events – in paintings, poems, songs, photography, and other means of creative expression. “Awaiting A Cure” is my Covid-19 painting. I was driven to create this painting by an incident I experienced early in the pandemic, which, in a simple way, showed how people were suddenly readjusting even their most mundane activities… like buying a pound of bacon. The scene which … Read More

I’ve ventured forth once more with a watercolor “character” painting. Humans are my most challenging subject, but I like to push myself, knowing that it helps me grow as an artist. I don’t consider myself a portrait artist, but I love to capture people involved in activity. Two years ago I took photos of an amazing fiddle player named Michael at our favorite pub in Knoxville, Boyd’s Jig and Reel. While looking for reference for a new watercolor on paper, … Read More

I love working with different media and on various surfaces, but sometimes I end up feeling rusty when switching between them. With some competition deadlines approaching, I felt the need for a little warming up exercise, using watercolors on paper, before I tackled some of the large paintings I have in mind. A scene I witnessed last summer had warmed my heart and I had instinctively taken a photo with my camera. I was exiting the farm market at our … Read More

There is alway more to learn about creating art, and that’s part of my passion. I could be a forever student! I recently complete a fabulous online workshop with a portrait artist whose work I have admired for years, Ali Cavanaugh. She is a master of creating exquisite watercolor portraits on white clay-coated Aquabord™ panels made by Ampersand Arts. I’ve used this combination of paints and surface for many paintings, primarily learning how to handle the unique qualities of watercolor … Read More

Just in case you missed my first announcement about the arrival of my 2022 Fine Art Calendar, it’s not too late to order. I was overwhelmed with the response and quickly sold out of my initial printing (before filling more than half the orders!). More calendars are on the press now and I’ll receive them at the beginning of December. These make wonderful holiday gifts, and I can even send them out directly to your recipients, saving you time and … Read More

A couple of my paintings are being featured in a special show at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Members of the Tennessee Watercolor Society’s East Regions are wrapping up the celebration of the organization’s 50th year with this amazing exhibit of some of the state’s finest watercolor artists. Twenty-one artists are participating. My watercolors include work on paper and on Aquabord. The show runs from October 29 through December 12, 2021. The public is invited to the Opening Reception on … Read More

My 2022 Fine Art Calendars just arrived from the printer. Each month features my artwork, including a variety of subjects, media and techniques. It’s 8.5” wide and ready to hang in a handy space on the wall. Great for gift-giving or to treat yourself! I’ve kept the price at $15 even with an increase in printing costs. Shipping cost is up this year, so please add: For 1, add $5.25 For 2, add $5.95 For 3, add $6.80 For 4 … Read More

This small watercolor painting was inspired by a photo taken by my friend Debra of her husband Mike, all bundled up for a walk in a snowstorm. I was drawn by the overall monotone blue-grey coloring, contrasted by his skin tones. I decided to crop the image tightly to a square format, putting my main subject smack in the center – not the best composition by the ‘rules’ of painting, but I thought it appropriate in this instance. As I … Read More